
Protrusive Dental Podcast
The Forward Thinking Dental Podcast
Latest episodes

Mar 10, 2023 • 52min
Stop Blaming Bruxism! How to Spot Frictional and Constricted Chewing Patterns (CCP) – PDP141
Do you blame bruxism for every time you observe attrition? As you know, I'm no stranger to occlusal appliances, but often they may be inappropriate for the patient who is causing their wear during FUNCTION and not so much during parafunction.
Maybe it’s time for us to start looking at different aetiologies of attrition and this is what the wonderful Dr. Sandra Hulac breaks down for us in this banger of an episode.
We also discussed the differences between frictional and constricted chewing patterns, which are often confused with each other. We share some case examples and discuss how to correctly diagnose these types of chewing patterns.
https://youtu.be/ao0sqY6lXZ4
Check out this full episode on YouTube
Download Protrusive App on iOS and Android and Claim your Verifiable CPD/CE by answering a few questions + You can get EARLY ACCESS to the episode + EXCLUSIVE content
The Protrusive Dental Pearl: Acknowledge, understand, and believe the fact that often our patient’s centric relation (CR) is NOT more distal/posterior to their maximum intercuspation (MIP) - it can actually be anterior to their MIP!
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
2:43 The Protrusive Dental Pearl6:01 Dr. Sandra Hulac’s Career Journey and Inspirations 18:22 What is a Constricted Chewing Patterns (CCP)?25:43 How to spot for CCP (Constricted Chewing Pattern)?30:12 Frictional envelope vs constricted envelope37:31 Case Discussion
Dr. Mahmoud and I are also excited to share the occlusion that we learned over the years - in a way that you have never seen before!
Occlusion: Basics and Beyond is the most tangible, real-world, and comprehensive occlusion training on the planet.
LIMITED DELEGATE SPOTS DUE TO STARTER KIT STOCK - AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT! Occlusion Online Course
If you enjoyed this episode, check out How to use Injectable Composites to Treat Toothwear
Click below for full episode transcript:
Introduction: Hi, my name is Mahmoud Ibrahim, and I'm Jaz Gulati, and we wanted to make the best occlusion course in the Universe. Now we know that sounds like a big task and a huge ask, but we did it. I think we did it.
OBAB:We did it. We finally made OBAB, Occlusion Basics and Beyond. And we've really, really worked our butts off to give you an occlusion course that is gonna be applicable to real world dentistry.
So, what's included in this pre-launch deal? We've got five different things for you. First of all is the OBAB starter kit. We're gonna send you a starter kit so you can start implementing the concepts we're gonna teach you straight away on Monday. It's got a Huffman leaf gauge we imported from the US and this is our favorite leaf gauge.
It's also got a pack of shim stock in it, so you don't have to use your fat fingers every time. We're gonna send you a pair of Miller forceps as well. The start kit is worth a hundred pounds and we'll start shipping it once the course access begins on 7th of April. I think really anyone interested in occlusion, whether you are at the beginning of your career in the middle, or even getting towards the end would learn a huge amount from this particular program.
The second benefit of this pre-launch deal is we're gonna give you 500 pounds off of the cost of the course, and you can take our word for it, that we are never gonna price it this low ever again. And this course truly has an unbelievable return on investment. The third benefit of the pre-launch deal is that instead of getting 12 months of access, we're gonna extend that.
So you get two whole years of oab and that's a no extra charge, and we're gonna be adding lots of new cases and content as we go. I felt like I finally understood topics that I just struggled to wrap my head around for years. And that's purely down to the way in which the content's delivered. The fourth benefit of this pre-launch deal is you'll get one fully mentored case with us incl...

Mar 7, 2023 • 41min
[LAUNCH] Our Occlusal Philosophy – OBAB Special
Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim and the host discuss occlusion philosophy, longevity, predictability, and the impact on restorative work. They cover different schools of thought, failures without conforming to occlusion, and the importance of individualized treatment. The episode highlights the OBAB course, emphasizing its practicality and comprehensive training on occlusion.

Feb 28, 2023 • 1h 6min
The Secrets to Finding a Passion in Dentistry – IC036
Dr. Karl Walker-Finch shares his journey of pain to passion as he reveals the secrets to finding YOUR passion in Dentistry.
We started by discussing our crippling imposter syndrome as we left public Dentistry to practice privately. Along that theme we highlight the importance of taking control of your own destiny.
Karl's new book, 'In The Loupe' raises money for Confidental (emotional first aid for Dentists) and is a powerful book for Dentists that wish to practise without fear and establish the right work-life balance.
https://youtu.be/YPv71yr62tE
Check out this full episode on YouTube
Download Protrusive App on iOS and Android and Claim your Verifiable CPD/CE by answering a few questions + You can get EARLY ACCESS to the episode + EXCLUSIVE content
“We do not need thousands of specialists in full mouth rehabilitation” - Dr. Karl Walker-Finch
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
3:12 Dr.Karl Walker-Finch's introduction5:48 Experiencing Imposter Syndrome11:40 Private Practice vs Public Practice16:31 Finding Passion - Ideal work for dentists20:59 Top tips to help dentists find their 'whys' - Dr. Karl’s pathway before niching down29:34 Taking control of our own destiny39:32 Implementing the power of atomic habits in Dentistry44:12 Dr. Karl supporting 'Confidental' - helping dentists with their mental health
You can now grab a copy of In The Loupe: The Secrets to Finding a Passion in Dentistry by Dr. Karl Walker-Finch!
If you enjoyed this episode, you will love Passion and Values in Dentistry with Dr. Dhru Shah
Click below for full episode transcript:
Jaz's Introduction: n this episode, I'm joined by Dr. Karl Walker-Finch, who's the author of the book called In the Loupe, the Secrets to Finding a Passion in Dentistry. Hence why the name of this episode. Now, some of the other titles that are also considered were GDPs, just Want to Have Fun.
Jaz's Introduction:And the other one that describes this episode really well, which I almost considered was Fall in Love with Dentistry all over again. Hello, Protruserati. I'm Jaz Gulati and I'm the host of Protrusive Dental Podcast. This is a non-clinical interruption. We call this an Interference Cast. If it's your first time listening, thanks for joining me.
I appreciate it. It's a whole three or four years worth of content that you need to explore, but if you are a regular listener, thanks for joining us again. This episode is a bigger picture episode. This episode is kind of like a feel good and an emotional exploration of your why and your purpose in your life and in your career.
Some of the themes that we cover are things like imposter syndrome, my goodness. So I do get imposter syndrome less now than I used to, but when I get it, I get it in a big way. So we'll talk about how Karl experience is and how we both overcome that. We also talk about our journeys in moving to private density and how we actually felt bad about leaving the public health dentistry and what that kind of looked like.
Our little roadmap. The other thing we discuss is how we both want to, we're both on a mission, Karl and I to infect you guys, you listening right now with enough positivity that you can head into work with excitement. In fact, the thing I love about protrusive and what it's become and you guys is the messages I get are kind of like in this vein here.
I'm just going to read a message out to you from, oh, hey, it's Dr. Albert, Albert, thanks so much, for freeing a listener. You sent a really lovely message. He said lots of nice things and I'll cut to chase. He said, I've been practicing for seven years and have been stuck in a lot of routine, mundane mindsets that have been holding me back.
And watching PDP episodes on YouTube has gotten me so excited about all sorts of new things. Thank you again, and please keep up the great work. So, these messages,

Feb 23, 2023 • 41min
A Little Trick to Solve Anterior Open Bites after Occlusal Appliances – AJ003
I will reveal a little 'trick' that might 'recapture the bite' on a patient who develops an anterior open bite (AOB) after wearing a nightguard/splint/occlusal appliance.
There is a degree of risk and uncertainty when we prescribe occusal appliances as it hinges on patient compliance and factors that are out of our control. There are certain risks that come with treatment that we should consent for, and this includes bite changes.
Occlusal appliances are not an exact science - the evidence base is not high quality. That does not mean they do not work, it just means that we need more data! We don't even know the mechanism of HOW occlusal splints work as that is yet to be proven.
Hello Protruserati! Welcome back to the third episode of #AskJaz where I answered three main questions from our Protrusive Dental Community - 1) developing anterior open bite after an occlusal appliance, 2) how to scan/bite register at a desired OVD, and 3) what should the occlusion look like on composite veneers or edge bonding?
https://youtu.be/Li2W-ysYRIE
Check out this full episode on YouTube
Download Protrusive App on iOS and Android and Claim your Verifiable CPD/CE by answering a few questions + You can get EARLY ACCESS to the episode + EXCLUSIVE content
Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim and I are currently working on a huge project called OBAB, Occlusion Basics, and Beyond – it will be the best occlusion resource in the Milky Way…and that’s our mission! We want to finally demystify Occlusion and make it Tangible AF!
Join the waiting list HERE!
Highlights of this episode:
1:51 Risk of having AOB after an Occlusal Appliance15:48 Trick to recover an AOB that has developed26:49 Bite Records for Stabilisation Splints30:25 Checking the Occlusion after Composite Veneers37:02 Occlusion Basics and Beyond
Do join our Protrusive Dental Community Facebook Group. It has so many great gems and pearls shared in our little community - ONLY FOR LICENSED DENTAL PROFESSIONALS.
If you enjoyed this episode, check out this episode with Dr. Barry Glassman - Do AMPSAs cause AOBs?
Click below for full episode transcript:
Jaz's Introduction: Occlusal appliances can be scary things. When we are given to our patients, we're at the mercy of their compliance. We don't really know if they're going to get along with it or not.
[Jaz]We don't really know if it'll help their pain. If pain is the reason that we are prescribing in occlusal appliance, and a lot of times we are taking on a bit of risk because there are certain bite changes that can happen after occlusal appliances.
And despite what you think, you know, you might think, oh yes, anterior only appliances, they're the big culprits here. They're the ones, those shifty devices, they're the ones causing all the bite changes. But actually, you can get a bite changer. A patient can get a bite change from any type of occlusal appliance.
So, I see this quite frequently on the Facebook groups from dentists and also lots of dentists message me and share some of the cases where they've had some bite change. They're trying to get their head around what exactly happened. So, in this Ask Jaz episode, I'm going to cover three main themes.
The main, the big one. The first one is, a patient who develops an anterior open bite after an occlusal appliance, and I'm going to teach you a trick that you can use if this happened to your patient to recover their bite. Okay? So that's number one. Number two and three, a shorter one. The second one is how to scan or record using silicon bite registration paste, the patient's centric relation record at the desired vertical dimension for something like a Michigan splint, for example, and the third one.
What should the occlusion look like on composite veneers? These are three questions, or the last two are questions that were sent in by you guys. The first one's something I promised Professor Paul Tipton, that I would do,

Feb 13, 2023 • 52min
ICON Resin Infiltration – Step by Step FULL PROTOCOL – PDP140
This episode gives it all away - every micro-step on how to successfully treat white patches with Teeth Whitening and ICON Resin Infiltration. If you are an experienced clinician or new to White Spot management with ICON, you will gain something from this blockbuster.
After the success of the ‘Teeth Whitening Under-18s’ episode, Dr. Linda Greenwall is back to make resin infiltration tangible. Dr. Greenwall shares everything from assessment to troubleshooting!
https://youtu.be/CYLXUGTXPRI
Check out this full episode here
Download Protrusive App on iOS and Android and Claim your Verifiable CPD/CE by answering a few questions + You can get EARLY ACCESS to the episode + EXCLUSIVE content
The Protrusive Dental Pearl: Download the Protrusive Treatment Guide for White Patch management Icon Resin Infiltration inspired by this episode - the Infographic that summarizes this episode with the exact micro-steps and the little nuances with helpful diagrams and tips all in one flowchart.
Please show your support by signing up as a Protrusive Premium member - once you're in you can download our mighty flowchart and infographic from the Protrusive Vault section (as well as the many benefits of membership!)
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
1:42 ICON Treatment Flowchart7:39 The science behind Icon Resin Infiltration16:35 Using Resin Infiltration Posteriorly for Caries19:33 White Patches Anterior Resin Infiltration Protocol22:08 Resin Infiltration Treatment - Air bubble Analogy32:50 Patient Communication - Treatment Planning and Fees34:50 Resin Infiltration Technique - after the etching process40:36 Predictors of success and failure45:02 Expected longevity of Resin Infiltration47:02 Etiology of white spots47:57 Dr. Linda’s advice when starting a white spot cases
Learn more about Molar Incisor Hypomineralization with THE D3 GROUP FOR DEVELOPMENTAL DENTAL DEFECTS
Check out the Tooth Whitening Techniques Book, a compilation of before and after photos of patients produced by Dr. Linda Greenwall
If you enjoyed this episode you will also like Teeth Whitening Secrets for Success
Click below for full episode transcript:
Jaz's Introduction: Did you know that resin infiltration was initially developed for the management of early carious lesions? But it's actually taken off hugely for the management of white spot lesions anteriorly. I've been using icon resin infiltration for a few years now, and I've had some pretty good results.
Jaz's Introduction:And so this stuff, this resin that infiltrates into these white patches, like our guest Linda Greenwell, the way she beautifully describes it with her soothing voice is that the white patch is like an air bubble, and she explains that analogy wonderfully throughout this episode.
And it seems to be a really great, minimally invasive way to manage white patches, either after orthotics or MIH or of any origin. Hello, Protruserati. I'm Jaz Gulati and welcome back to another episode of the Protrusive Dental Podcast. That's right. We got Linda Greenwell back again after that amazing episode about the rules around whitening for under 18.
If you haven't seen that, do check it out because it does tie in well with this episode because one of the things that Linda will teach us is the importance of tooth whitening before doing resin infiltration. In fact, Linda leaves no stone unturned. Every single micro step and the nuances and considerations, and even the troubleshooting.
What if things don't go to plan? It's covered so comprehensively, so beautifully that I think DMG, the company that makes the stuff will probably host this podcast episode on their own website. We also answer burning real world questions such as, do you have to use rubber dam for this technique? And can you use any composite, like sometimes you actually have to have composite at the end of it.

Feb 6, 2023 • 42min
Best Practices in Social Media for Dentists – How to Stay Out of Trouble Yet Be Impactful – IC035
'Doing' Social Media is HARD work!' Do you find it difficult to make time for this?
Do you worry about professionalism and ethics on social media? How about the blurred boundaries between professional and personal life?
Dentistry is no exception to the trend of using social media in today's culture. Dentists are using social media to connect with their patients and create new opportunities for patient education. However, dentists face ethical challenges such as how to best communicate with patients online, and what is the best level of consent to get from patients when we post their photos and videos?
In this episode, Dr. Alessandro Devigus also suggests how to use social media as a business tool and how to keep your personal life and professional life separate.
https://youtu.be/TEBmlDlybLE
Check out this full episode here
Download Protrusive App on iOS and Android and Claim your Verifiable CPD/CE by answering a few questions + You can get EARLY ACCESS to the episode + EXCLUSIVE content
“React and interact with your audience how they WANT you to see” - Dr. Alessandro Devigus
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
1:19 Dr. Alessandro Devigus’ Introduction4:20 How Dr. Alessandro started on Social Media6:30 Drawing the line between personal and professional account9:41 Importance of having a social media for Dental practices14:38 Dentists posting full protocol cases on social media - good or bad?20:14 Spotting fake dentistry24:57 Making time for social media31:59 Consent from Patients for sharing their photos - how to do it?
If you enjoyed this episode, you may also enjoy Personal Branding for Dentists, Logos, and Websites with Shaz Memon
Click below for full episode transcript:
Jaz's Introduction: You don't need me to tell you that SOCIAL MEDIA is absolutely huge in all of our lives. If you're listening to this, I'm sure you're involved in social media in some way or another.
Jaz's Introduction:It's NO EXCEPTION for dentistry, but this creates new problems and dilemmas, new ethical dilemmas for us dentists. How do we best communicate with patients online, and what is the best level of consent to get to patients when we are posting their photos and videos?
And where exactly do you DRAW THE LINE between PERSONAL and PROFESSIONAL? These are the burning questions we cover with Dr. Alessandro Devigus, who not only has a huge following on social media, but he's such a level-headed guy as an extremely experienced, successful clinician. One of the topics we discussed, which you may resonate with Protruserati is HOW to MAKE TIME for SOCIAL MEDIA.
Many of you are struggling to find the opportunity throughout your busy lives to actually have a presence online. And so when I ask this to Alessandro, he had a really good answer, and it involves doing a bit of work, a bit of an audit of your time. So that's something we cover towards the middle and end of the episode.
Hello, Protruserati. I'm Jaz Gulati. Welcome back to an Interference Cast. This is like a nonclinical interruption. If you're new to the show, then thanks for joining. Do check out all the other episodes. Mostly a lot of 'em are clinical and they're very geeky, and I get very excited about teeth and dentistry, and hopefully that gets passed onto you. But we talk about some varied themes. So hope you enjoy this episode with Dr. Alessandro Devigus and I'll catch you in the outro.
Main Episode:Alessandro. So I know this podcast we're recording today is about social media, but we must know what is your secret to looking so youthful?
[Alessandro]It's my wife. I'm married for 33 years, so happy wife, happy life.
[Jaz]Happy wife, happy life, and somehow good skin.
[Alessandro]Yeah and it's my Sardinian roots. So, Sardinia is known for people getting very old. So my father is now almost 90. There are a lot of people there. And I think the number one secret of getting old...

Feb 1, 2023 • 51min
Sleep Disordered Breathing and Dentistry – PDP139
There are a billion people globally who have sleep-disordered breathing and only 20% of them have been diagnosed and treated. In this episode we revisit sleep-disordered breathing and how it is connected to Dentistry.
Dr. Aditi Desai, from British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine is just the most passionate Dentist ever about this crucial and often overlooked topic. You will hear the passion in her voice or see it in her eyes if you watch the video version of this podcast.
https://youtu.be/0aG8iQdbkeY
Check out this full episode here
Download Protrusive App on iOS and Android and Claim your Verifiable CPD/CE by answering a few questions + You can get EARLY ACCESS to the episode + EXCLUSIVE content
The Protrusive Dental Pearl: Removing Aligner Attachments - A step-by-step protocol including the use a UV torch to see if there’s any resin left and which different burs and polishers I use.
https://youtu.be/SP1irVhyzRw
How I Remove Aligner Attachments
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
1:27 Protrusive Dental Pearl – Removing Attachments4:31 Dr. Aditi Desai’s Introduction7:25 What is Sleep-Disordered Breathing?14:51 Mandibular Advancement Splints for Snorers16:14 Signs and Symptoms of SDB for Dentists20:24 Referral Template for General Dentists24:55 Adverse Effects of Oral Appliances28:15 Link Between Periodontal Disease and Obstructive Sleep Apnea31:05 GDP Referring Directly to a Sleep Physician33:48 Home Sleep Testing36:18 Patient Compliance with CPAP41:32 Learning Basics about Sleep-Disordered Breathing
Check out Dr. Aditi Desai's website, aditidesai.co.uk. And if you are in UK, you can check out British Society of Dental Sleep Medicine and support their upcoming event on March 4th. If you're interested in getting into space now, you should check this out!
If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like Airway – Dentistry’s Elephant in the Room with Prof Ama Johal
Click below for full episode transcript:
Jaz's Introduction: Sleep disordered breathing, sleep apnea and airway problems dentistry. These are some of the things that have become quite an area of interest in dentistry and for all the right reasons, because as dentists, we're in such a brilliant position to SCREEN for AIRWAY ISSUES beyond just snoring. Like we don't wanna just treat snoring.
Jaz's Introduction:We want to ADD YEARS to our patient's lives. And if we can diagnose or we can't diagnose, but we can screen for sleep apnea and airway issues and get the patients the help, and then we can be involved in potential therapy such as removal appliances to bring the mandible forward and that way we can have a huge impact in someone's life.
I was always taught that the two times you can save someone's life dentistry is A) if you detect or diagnose a mouth cancer, or B) a barrett esophagus or someone's got acid reflux and for them to get investigated and have a camera to explore that area. However, I think a third one that wasn't mentioned to me in dental school, but definitely should be there is sleep disorder breathing or sleep apnea because on average that can take 10 years off of your life expectancy.
And in case you think that sleep apnea is a disease of the fat old man, you are totally mistaken. So whether it's in children or in adults, this episode with Dr. Aditi Desai, who's just the most incredibly passionate woman ever on this topic, it's gonna open your mind. So please lend me your ears.
And for those of you on YouTube and on the app, your eyes to this Protrusive Dental Podcast episode. Hello Protruserati. I'm Jaz Gulati.
Protrusive Dental Pearl:I'm your host and I've got your Protrusive Dental Pearl for you today, which you can access in the show notes. So essentially the Protrusive Dental Pearl I have is my sequence for removing Invisalign attachments.
So it's like a video. I'll show you exactly what I do,

Jan 25, 2023 • 45min
Is Caries Detector Dye BS? – PDP138
Some dentists disagree with the use of Caries Detector Dye in Restorative dentistry. They say that they are experienced enough to know what is infected dentine and affected dentin. However, this episode might change your perspective— CCD can be an incredibly useful tool to provide objective data and increase your bond strengths!
In this episode, Dr. Germán Dorgan spoke to us about caries detection dye and helped us understand how to use it properly. He also shared the evidence base behind this test and how to interpret the data that you get by using it.
https://youtu.be/L8fScyRTet0
Check out the full episode here
Download Protrusive App on iOS and Android and Claim your Verifiable CPD/CE by answering a few questions + You can get EARLY ACCESS to the episode + EXCLUSIVE content
Protrusive Dental Pearl: How can you remove the appropriate amount of caries to get the best bond strengths possible WITHOUT risking removing too much dentine and causing a pulp exposure: Use your perio probe and measure key landmarks. Measure 5mm from the cusp tip and 3mm from the adjacent marginal ridge - do not remove caries beyond this point. As a guide, this will help you not expose the pulp so you achieve very clean dentine for highest bond strengths, without worrying about 'when to stop'.
How to measure caries removal extent using a Periodontal probe and dental landmarks
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
1:20 Protrusive Dental Pearl4:27 Dr. Germán Dorgan Introduction7:32 Caries Detector Dye9:40 Rationale behind Caries Detector Dye15:14 When should you use Caries Detector Dye? 19:49 Literature for reliability of CDD22:19 Difference between color gradient of caries detector dye 23:28 Caries removal guidelines using caries detector dye30:22 Additional Literatures and Top tips
Check out the 3-day course about Biomimetic Dentistry with Sami Sherif, Germán Dorgan, David Alleman, and Davey Alleman. Hosted by Get Bonded and Stay Bonded on March 3, 4 and 5, 2023
Check out the literature mentioned by Dr. Germán Dorgan
Contemporary-concepts-in-carious-tissue-removal-A-reviewDownload
A-systematic-approach-to-deep-caries-removal-end-points-The-peripheral-seal-concept-in-adhesive-dentistryDownload
PHYSIOLOGICAL-RECALCIFICATION-OF-CARIOUS-DENTINDownload
Bonding-of-self-etch-and-total-etch-adhesives-to-carious-dentinDownload
You might also enjoy another Biomimetic Episode: I Can’t Believe This Sticks – EXTREME BONDING EXPOSED with Dr. David Gerdolle
Click below for full episode transcript:
Jaz's Introduction: Is CARIES DETECTOR DYE, BS? Like I know lots of dentists who've seen it and they think this is just a fad. This is as useful as those photos of people holding cucumbers between their teeth.
Jaz's Introduction:Is there actually any sign or useful applications because caries, as some colleagues would say, I just use my high magnification, my good lighting and my probe.
I don't need a fancy dye to tell me if I got caries or not. I'm experienced enough to know that I've removed caries. Now, you know what? I kind of felt that way. I was like, do I really need a dye? I'm think I'm pretty good at moving caries and too fair. Since I've been using it, it's kind of confirmed that I'm pretty good at removing caries.
Okay. I'm happy to say that I'm proud enough to say that. However, one in five, one in six times I see a pink haze where it shouldn't be. You'll find out what that pink haze means in this episode, but it's really useful objective data. So we'll speak to Dr. Germán Dorgan, all about caries deck to die, how to actually use it properly. What is the evidence space behind it, and how to interpret the data that you get by using it.
Hello, Protruserati. I'm Jaz Gulati and welcome back to the Protrusive Dental Podcast. If you're new to the podcast, welcome, it's great to have you. Protrusive Dental Pearl:Every episode,

Jan 19, 2023 • 48min
Hygienists are NOT Scaling Machines – IC034
Hygienists working without nurses and feeling like scaling machines - it's about time we covered this elephant in the dental surgery. I brought on my dear friends and exceptional hygienists Morgan Williams and Louise Brake - they have faced career struggles in the past in the quest to finding the right environment and have so much to share with us.
The biggest takeaway of this episode will be to consider 'leading from the bottom' - if you are feeling stuck and don't just wait around for good luck (I'm such a poet!) - take action. You'll be inspired by some of the ideas from our discussion!
https://youtu.be/X7GBKUawq4A
Check out the full episode here
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
04:32 Morgan and Lou’s Dental Hygiene Background07:25 The Importance of Settings Goals and Expectation10:42 Hygienist as 'Scaling Machines'14:09 The Best Advice to be a Better Hygienist17:40 Good Communication to Improve your Practice21:26 Nurses for Hygienists27:20 Business Models for Hygiene29:54 Preventive Focus in Dental Hygiene34:11 How Hygienist Treat Perio35:52 Optimised, Personalised OHI40:07 Number One Trait to Look for in a Practice
Check out Morgan and Lou's Instagram, Dynamic Dental Duo!
If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like another episode with Laura Bailey: Why You Need to Take Massive Action for Success in Dentistry
Click below for full episode transcript:
Jaz's Introduction: What's the best way that hygienists and dentists can work together? Well, when I was in Singapore, I didn't know a single hygienist. It wasn't really a model at the time that was used there.
Jaz's introduction:Whereas in the UK, we depend so much on our hygienists. I feel like we work together well with hygienists. However, I sometimes worry and hygienists I speak to worry that all they become is a SCALING MACHINE.
And so, I talked about that today with Morgan and Lou. Two lovely hygienists I use to work with in Oxford and they share their struggles, how they had to work in quite a few practices where the environment just WASN'T RIGHT FOR THEM to thrive in as part of prevention minded hygienists. And I think what they have to say, well, if you're a hygienist, listen to this.
Or maybe a dentist has said this episode to you, then this is gonna be a real source of inspiration from two lovely ladies who've been in the game for a little while. They know what they want and they're gonna tackle those difficult themes such as HYGIENISTS working WITHOUT NURSES like. Where does that stand now in 2023?
My practice now where I work as an associate, only now is it starting to really implement a nurse working with a hygienist. Whereas I've worked with a few practices for where there is no such thing. It's unheard of for the hygienist to have nursing support and I know lots of young hygienists who tell me that they feel really uneasy about working alone and really, is this the best way to deliver ideal patient journey that's safe and effective? I don't think so. But then again, a lot of you will say, 'But Jaz, you are not a practice owner. You are not paying the bills.' And I totally get that. I respect that.
As an associate, it's easy for me to say that, but I'm hoping after this episode with Morgan and Lou, though, you understand why it is so important for our profession to work together with hygienists to get the best outcomes, and I do believe that starts with a hygienist being provided a nurse. Now, what I don't want after this episode is lots of hygienists handing their notice or dentist getting pissed off and saying, 'Jaz, what the hell do you do? Why did you encourage my hygienist to think a little bit differently and inspire him or her a little bit too much?'
I mean, I want to inspire. I want to get the word out. I want to help these hygienists through Morgan and Lou and what they have to say in learning from their journeys.

Jan 18, 2023 • 1h 7min
Q&A with a Dental Technician – Shade Matching to Contact Points – PDP137
You asked, we answered! Q&A with a Dental Technician - everything you wanted to ask (but never did) from our Facebook community.
A legendary Dentist once told me that an average dentist working with a good technician will do well in their career. This advice has always stuck with me ever since. I recorded this episode with one of my technicians Graham Entwistle of Trueform Dental Laboratory who has been a pleasure to work with.
From shade matching to getting the occlusion right, we made quite a geeky little episode which was well worth the 200 mile round-trip to his lab!
https://youtu.be/tMiC_18fiqc
Check out this full episode on Youtube
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Protrusive Dental Pearl: It's high time that you find your ideal dental technician, build a relationship and grow together. Whether you are using a big lab or small lab, try to visit and meet them and be open to getting feedback and criticism from that ONE technician that will elevate you. Don’t forget to give credit to your technician for their craftsmanship - take a photo of their work being fitted and email them - credit them on social media!
Need to Read it? Check out the Full Episode Transcript below!
Highlights of this episode:
2:32 Protrusive Dental Pearl7:55 Graham Entwistle’s Introduction13:41 Q1: Analogue vs Digital?17:11 Q2: Impressions or Scans for Veneers?18:32 Q3: Is Digital good enough for high-end work and multiple crowns? 21:12 Q4: Are our impressions and scans good enough for you?26:15 Q5: To break contacts or not to break contacts for veneers?29:09 Q6: How does Graham create digital models with unbroken contacts of veneer preps?30:35 Q7: What is the best material for masking discolored anterior teeth?36:16 Q8: Shade matching for a Single Incisor Crown - the hardest thing in Dentistry?42:06 Q9: How do you overcome contact point issues with digital as opposed to stone models for single crowns?48:55 Q10: Digital Triple Tray or Full Arch Scans?52:32 Q11: Getting the occlusion right for crowns55:26 Tips for dentists to help the technician to get the bite right
Dr. Mahmoud Ibrahim and I are currently working on a huge project called OBAB, Occlusion Basics and Beyond – it will be the best occlusion resource in the Milky Way…and that’s our mission! We want to finally demystify Occlusion and make it Tangible!
Join the waiting list HERE!
If you enjoyed this episode, you may also like another episode with Graham Entwistle: 5 Things your Technician Wished You Knew
Click below for full episode transcript:
Jaz's Introduction: An average dentist working with a good technician who will do very well in their career. This was some advice given to me by a legendary dentist called Raj Rattan.
Jaz's Introduction:It was about nine years ago now. I remember exactly where I was, who I was with. What I was wearing is just like, really emphatic advice to me at the time. It's just stuck with me throughout my career, and it's not too different to the advice that Finlay Sutton gave. A few episodes ago. If you scroll down and listen to that episode about Scandinavian Design of Partial Dentures, and he said to find a technician who's a similar age as you, who's got a similar appetite for dentistry as you do and grow together.
Hello Protruserati. I'm Jaz Gulati, and welcome back to another episode of Protrusive Dental Podcast. This time, it was actually a rare face-to-face episode that I recorded. I drove over a hundred miles to see Graham, my technician, and the theme was to answer your questions that you'd sent on the Facebook group, everything you wanted to know from a technician.
But NEVER ASKED. We covered things like digital versus analogue. Is digital there yet? Should we be opening contacts for veneers? Heck do technicians like it when we open the contacts for veneers?